In honor of Jackie’s love for learning and discovery, the Bezos Family Foundation is proud to announce the inaugural cohort of the Jackie Bezos Researcher in Residence program. Meghan Orman and Andrew Nalani have joined the Foundation to advance our overall research agenda, including advising on the Foundation’s research investment strategy, expanding grant and partnership opportunities, and elevating community-engaged research.

Named for our co-founder, Jackie Bezos, this prestigious role reflects our commitment to translational research—understanding that science has the power to transform lives when it reaches educators, families, policymakers, and young people. Throughout her life, Jackie championed learning at every stage—from finishing her own college degree in her forties to co-founding programs meant to inspire curiosity and discovery among children and youth. The Researcher in Residence position reflects her enduring commitment to nurturing knowledge and using it to make a difference in the world.

Meghan Orman, PhD

Meghan Orman, PhD brings expertise in applied developmental psychology, early childhood education, and participatory research, with a focus on how environments shape the health and well-being of young children, families, and caregivers. Her decade-plus of practitioner experience spans formal and informal educational settings, including her work as a Montessori toddler teacher and founder of an environmental education initiative for young children. She joins the Foundation after postdoctoral work at Cornell University and a Fulbright-NSF Arctic Research Fellowship in Iceland.

Andrew Nalani, PhD

Andrew Nalani, PhD joins the Foundation on a scholarly leave of absence from his role as an Assistant Professor at Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College of Education and Human Development. His work strengthens translational research in youth civic development, particularly in rural contexts and among faith-based communities. He serves as a Research Scholar with the Society for Community Research and Action and was recognized as a youth development advocate at the inaugural Gates Foundation Goalkeepers event in 2018.

The Researcher in Residence Position

“We’re thrilled to have Meghan and Andrew join the team,” said Jody Rosentswieg, Director of Strategic Initiatives at the Bezos Family Foundation. “Their deep commitment to community-engaged research will strengthen the Foundation’s ability to turn research into impact.”

The Researcher in Residence is a full-time, year-long position for scholars in education and related fields. In this role, researchers serve as internal experts, contribute thought leadership, lead research projects, and engage with leading minds in the field. Together with the Foundation’s team, they help expand research investments across critical and emerging areas—strengthening the research pipeline and advancing participatory research. Stay tuned to hear key insights from their work at the Foundation.